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Physics Definitions
Physics Definitions
Ch.1 : Measurement
Physical
Quantities which can be measured
Quantities
Base Quantities Quantities which cannot be derived in terms of other physical quantities
Free Fall A condition where an object falls due to gravitational pull only
Newton’s First Law of An object will remain at rest or move at uniform velocity in
Motion (Law of Inertia) straight line unless acted by an external force
Newton’s Second Law of Rate of change of momentum is directly proportional to the force
Motion (Momentum) and acts in the direction of the applied force
Newton’s Third Law of For every action, there is a reaction force of equal magnitude
Motion (Impulsive Force) but act in opposite direction
Definitions 1
Mass Quantity of matter in an object
Ch. 3 : Gravitation
Newton’s The gravitational force between two bodies is directly proportional to the
Universal Law of product of the massed of both bodies and inversely proportional to the
Gravitation square of the distance between the centres of the two bodies
Centripetal For a body in circular motion, a force acts on the body in a direction
Force towards the centre of the circle
Kepler’s First
Law (Law of All planets move in elliptical orbit with the Sun at one focus
Orbits)
Kepler’s Second
A line that connects a planet to the Sun sweeps out equal areas in equal
Law (Law of
times.
Areas)
Kepler’s Third
The square of the orbital period of any planet is directly proportional to the
Law (Law of
cube of the radius of its orbit
Periods)
Geostationary The satellite that is always above the same geographical location when
Satellite view from the Earth
Non-
The satellite that is always above different geographical location at
Geostationary
different times when view from the Earth
Satellite
The minimum velocity needed by an object on the surface of the Earth to
Escape Velocity
overcome the gravitational force and escape to outer space
Ch. 4 : Heat
Heat A type of energy that flow from high temperature to low temperature object
Definitions 2
Thermal A situation where two objects in thermal contact having the same
Equilibrium temperature and the net heat flow between the two objects is zero
Heat Capacity Quantity of heat needed to raise the temperature of the object by 1°C
Specific Heat Quantity of heat needed to change the temperature of 1kg mass of the
Capacity substance by 1°C
Definitions 3